'He's unbelievable': Senior ace powers Apponequet to share of South Coast Conference title

ACUSHNET — When Nathan Levesque is in the zone, it’s scary for the opposition.

Down the stretch of Tuesday’s 5-0 win over Fairhaven, Apponequet’s senior ace struck out six out of nine batters.

“He started cruising,” said Fairhaven head coach Rudy Bulgar. “He got stronger and more confident and he was in a groove.”

Levesque scattered four hits with no walks while striking out nine over seven innings for his sixth victory of the season in a matchup that featured two of the top 12 teams in Div. 3.

“He had that burst,” said Apponequet head coach Jim Cabucio. "When we went up three (runs), he struck out the side and was throwing nothing but strikes.

“There was no question Nate did an outstanding job. He did what he does. He had command of his pitches so he throws a lot of strikes and he competes. We like our chances when he’s on the mound doing that.”

Apponequet senior Caiden Cry added, “He’s unbelievable. Every time he goes out there, we know we have a very good chance to win.”

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The Lakers wrapped up a share of the South Coast Conference Blue Division championship with Somerset Berkley with the win over the Blue Devils.

“I’m very pleased because it’s a tough conference and for the kids to come back and play a quality game against a quality opponent,” Cabucio said. “I thought their pitcher was outstanding. They’re an outstanding team and for us to win a piece of a championship playing a good team, I’m very proud of them.”

Levesque said he’s been looking forward to this moment since he started playing varsity baseball at Apponequet his freshman year.

“It’s special,” said Levesque, who will play next year at Franklin Pierce University. “Coming up as a freshman, I was a little nervous, but I’ve gotten stronger and stronger and more confident. It’s been a great run.

“In this conference, anyone can win on any day. It’s all about the work we put in as a team. It’s memorable. It’s going to be a memorable moment for the rest of my life.”

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HOW IT HAPPENED

After two scoreless innings, Apponequet got on the scoreboard in the top of the third when Cyr and courtesy runner Gabe Zuber scored on a two-RBI double to right field by Joly.

“Caiden has a knack of driving the ball where it’s pitched and getting on base and setting the tables and putting pressure on the defense,” Cabucio said. “He had another outstanding game offensively. Those runs were critical at that point because with a 1-0 game it could go either way.”

The Lakers extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Conor Tripp scored off a walk with the bases loaded.

Apponequet added a pair of runs in the fifth inning on a two-RBI single by Tripp.

Cyr led the Lakers with three hits.

“I like putting the ball where the other team isn’t, finding holes left and right,” Cyr said. “I’m seeing the ball very well right now.”

WHAT IT MEANS

With the win, Apponequet improved to 14-4 overall and 10-3 in the South Coast Conference. … The loss dropped Fairhaven to 10-8. The Blue Devils host Pope John Paul II on Thursday night.

COACHES CORNER

“I thought the kid threw great. They didn’t crush the ball, but they put the ball in some good places and came up with some clutch hits. That’s where they’re at right now. They’re rolling.” — Bulgar

STATS

Joly and Tripp both had two hits and two RBIs while Lucas Tremblay added a pair of hits. Levesque had a hit and RBI while Dylan Bradley and Justin Serrecchia each had a hit. For Fairhaven, Colby Correia had two hits while Blake Christopher and Gavin Fletcher each had a hit.

Apponequet 5, Fairhaven 0

Apponequet;002;120;0—5

Fairhaven;000;000;0—0

WP: Nathan Levesque (6-1); LP: Jason Perry

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Apponequet baseball beats Fairhaven to wrap up share of SCC title